Southern California -- this just in

Charles Manson follower, a convicted murderer, closer to freedom

Gov. Jerry Brown will ultimately decided whether a convicted murderer and Charles Manson's "right hand man" Bruce Davis should be paroled after a state panel approved his release.

Bruce Davis, 69, imprisoned for the 1969 killings of musician Gary
Hinman and ranch hand Donald "Shorty" Shea, was recommended for parole
in 2010, but his release was later blocked by then-Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger.

In a news release on Thursday, officials said the panel agreed to parole "because of his positive
adjustment, record of no recent disciplinary problems, and for successfully
completing academic and vocational education and self-help programs."

Davis did not participate in the 1969 Manson family murders of
actress Sharon Tate and six others. During his 40 years in prison, he
became an ordained minister and earned master's degrees in philosophy
and religion via a correspondence program.

Davis was convicted in 1972 of the Manson-dictated murders of Hinman
and Shea.

The parole must still be finalized by the state after a 120-day review period.

Stephen Kay, a former prosecutor who was on the Manson trials, said Brown will likely weigh in. “He appoints the parole board,
and it is him everyone should be calling,” Kay said. “As long as I have been in
the business nothing surprises me.”

“Bruce Davis was Charlie
Manson’s right hand man -- the man he left in charge when he left the ranch,” he added. “He is very smart and was the
brains of the Manson Family. The one Charlie relied on."